JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – About 60 students had the opportunity to spend their Saturday learning all about aviation and aerospace in the first-ever “Aerospace Day” at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport.

While Saturday may not have been the prettiest weather, that didn’t stop local students from having a great time at this event.

There, the students got a hands-on course in aviation from local pilots and flight instructors.

Anesa Arifi, 15, said she’s thinking about becoming a pilot.

“Growing up, my family is actually from a coastal part of Europe. So, I fly there every summer, and I always look forward to flying. Now I’m interested in aerospace,” Arifi said.

Front and center was Lee Giat — the man who started this project.

Giat’s father was also a pilot. He said after his dad died in a plane crash four years ago… for two months, he brought similar events to Aerospace Day in other parts of the world. He’s happy to bring it back to Jax.

“It started as a project that I did for my dad, and it’s evolved into something how that I do for the kids. I remember when I was in their shoes, I wasn’t good at math, and I didn’t think that I had a place in aerospace. I want them to know that they have a place in aerospace,” Giat said.

Part of Saturday’s event included a lesson on mechanics. Students had the opportunity to get a hands-on look.

Arifi also said she hopes to inspire others, especially women.

“You can see pilots when they come on and off the flight, for commercial flights at least, and they’re usually always men. I think it would be nice to see a woman sometimes,” Arifi said.

Preparing local students through hands-on learning — and showing them the sky’s the limit.